Ulster has five different representatives named among the nominees for the Irish Rugby Union Players' Association Awards.
Rory Best, Stuart McCloskey, Carig Gilroy, Jared Payne and Ashleigh Baxter are all in contention to win the prestigious awards.
Best, Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Jack McGrath (Leinster) and CJ Stander (Munster) have all been nominated by their fellow professionals for the Players’ Player of the Year award, which will be presented at a ceremony in the Double Tree Hotel on 4th May.
The nominations are based on consistent form across the Guinness PRO12, Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, World Cup and Six Nations.
The Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year – an award which Henshaw has won for the last three years – will also be announced. This year McCloskey will contest the award with Leinster duo Gary Ringrose and Josh van der Flier.
Craig Gilroy is up for Try of the Year for his superb solo effort against Scarlets in the PRO12 earlier this season.
Best and Payne are competing with six other players, two from each province, for the Supporters’ Player of the Year gong.
In the female game, Ulster’s Ashleigh Baxter is one of three nominees for the Women’s Sevens Player of the Year award.
Former IRUPA Board Member and Player of the Year 2015, Paul O’Connell, commented: “To be nominated for an IRUPA Award is such a fantastic achievement, it really is a great honour to be recognised by your fellow players. I would like to congratulate all the nominees, wish them the best and hope they enjoy the night.”
ZURICH IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Rory Best (Ulster)
NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Josh Van Der Flier (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
Gary Ringrose (Leinster)
BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME 2016
Recipient to be announced the week of 25th of April 2016
VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2016
Craig Gilroy (Ulster v Scarlets, Guinness PRO12)
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland v Italy, RBS 6 Nations)
Matt Healy (Connacht v Grenoble, Challenge Cup)
SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Rory Best (Ulster)
Conor Murray (Munster)
Jonathon Sexton (Leinster)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Matt Healy (Connacht)
ZURICH CONTRIBUTION TO IRISH SOCIETY 2016
The award will be presented at the ceremony on Wednesday 4th May 2016
BNY MELLON WOMEN’S XV PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Sene Naoupu (Galwegians)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s)
Ciara Griffin (Tralee)
POWERSCOURT HOTEL MOMENT OF THE YEAR 2016
Voted by the public on Twitter @PowerscourtHtl #PHMoment16 the Rugby Moment of the Year will be unveiled at the Awards ceremony on Wednesday 4th May 2016.
VODAFONE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE 2016
Isaac Boss (Leinster)
Ronan Loughney (Connacht)
John Muldoon (Connacht)
IRUPA WOMEN’S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe
Ashleigh Baxter
Audrey Flynn
Rory Best, Stuart McCloskey, Carig Gilroy, Jared Payne and Ashleigh Baxter are all in contention to win the prestigious awards.
Best, Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Jack McGrath (Leinster) and CJ Stander (Munster) have all been nominated by their fellow professionals for the Players’ Player of the Year award, which will be presented at a ceremony in the Double Tree Hotel on 4th May.
The nominations are based on consistent form across the Guinness PRO12, Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, World Cup and Six Nations.
The Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year – an award which Henshaw has won for the last three years – will also be announced. This year McCloskey will contest the award with Leinster duo Gary Ringrose and Josh van der Flier.
Craig Gilroy is up for Try of the Year for his superb solo effort against Scarlets in the PRO12 earlier this season.
Best and Payne are competing with six other players, two from each province, for the Supporters’ Player of the Year gong.
In the female game, Ulster’s Ashleigh Baxter is one of three nominees for the Women’s Sevens Player of the Year award.
Former IRUPA Board Member and Player of the Year 2015, Paul O’Connell, commented: “To be nominated for an IRUPA Award is such a fantastic achievement, it really is a great honour to be recognised by your fellow players. I would like to congratulate all the nominees, wish them the best and hope they enjoy the night.”
ZURICH IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Rory Best (Ulster)
NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Josh Van Der Flier (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
Gary Ringrose (Leinster)
BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME 2016
Recipient to be announced the week of 25th of April 2016
VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2016
Craig Gilroy (Ulster v Scarlets, Guinness PRO12)
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland v Italy, RBS 6 Nations)
Matt Healy (Connacht v Grenoble, Challenge Cup)
SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Rory Best (Ulster)
Conor Murray (Munster)
Jonathon Sexton (Leinster)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Matt Healy (Connacht)
ZURICH CONTRIBUTION TO IRISH SOCIETY 2016
The award will be presented at the ceremony on Wednesday 4th May 2016
BNY MELLON WOMEN’S XV PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Sene Naoupu (Galwegians)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s)
Ciara Griffin (Tralee)
POWERSCOURT HOTEL MOMENT OF THE YEAR 2016
Voted by the public on Twitter @PowerscourtHtl #PHMoment16 the Rugby Moment of the Year will be unveiled at the Awards ceremony on Wednesday 4th May 2016.
VODAFONE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE 2016
Isaac Boss (Leinster)
Ronan Loughney (Connacht)
John Muldoon (Connacht)
IRUPA WOMEN’S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe
Ashleigh Baxter
Audrey Flynn